The University of Toledo is celebrating transfer students as part of National Transfer Student Week.
Gordy Hunt began his college journey at the University of Cincinnati but soon realized, it wasn’t the right fit for him.
Gordy Hunt started at the University of Cincinnati as an undecided business major and felt lost. He transferred to UToledo for his sophomore year, where he found the community welcoming. He is now a senior with dual majors, professional sales and marketing, and an expected graduation date of May 2.
“I started at the University of Cincinnati as an undecided business major and felt lost,” Hunt said. “The class sizes were huge, the teachers didn’t know who I was and there was no engagement with students. I felt that I had no guidance and for what I was investing in, I wasn’t getting much out of it.”
So he transferred to The University of Toledo for his sophomore year and began exploring the majors at the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation. His interest in the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales (ESSPS) grew after learning more about the sales program.
“I was drawn to sales because I wanted to step out of my comfort zone,” Hunt said. You’re not going to be successful if you stay in your shell and the more you step out, the more you stand out.”
Now a senior with dual majors in professional sales and marketing and an expected graduation date of May 2, Hunt found the community and engagement at UToledo to be welcoming.
“I love UToledo because of everything they have to offer,” he said. “They have a small-town feel that larger universities miss out on.”
Hunt reflected on his decision to transfer and couldn’t be happier with UToledo.
“A lot of people feel like they need to move away for college, but I think for me, staying at home and staying with my family was a good opportunity,” he said. “The UToledo campus is extremely nice and it’s easy to take that for granted.”
Hunt said he found the annual Neff College of Business job fair to be very beneficial.
“The first job fair I attended, I didn’t know what to expect and it was overwhelming and hard to figure out who to go up to,” he said. “However, the second job fair I attended I was more prepared and landed an internship with Alro Steel.”
Last May, Hunt began his internship at Alro Steel, where he attended college networking events as a recruiter, and still serves as an inside sales intern with the company.
The Business Career Programs Office hosts events like the semiannual job fair and Chillin’ with the Firms, a low-stakes networking event for students. The office’s program manager, Craig Turner, said Hunt is an exceptional student.
“I’m glad that Gordy recognizes the value of the services we provide in the Business Career Programs office,” Turner said. “Now that he’s applying what he’s learned, he’s able to truly see the impact of those experiences firsthand. I was especially delighted to see him at our Chillin’ with the Firms event in September, proudly representing Alro Steel.”
At the most recent job fair, Hunt was on the other side of the table talking to students looking to get an internship.
“I saw my younger self going up to the tables but I’m on the other side talking to them this time,” he said. “But I know I still have so much to learn.”
Hunt recalled his most valuable lesson from the job fair: rejection.
“The job fair taught me that you will face rejection,” Hunt said. “And you shouldn’t be afraid of getting rejected. You will get a job; it just takes putting yourself out there.”
Hunt said wants to explore the career field of professional sales with plans to move away from his hometown of Toledo. He said he is grateful for UToledo embracing him and helping him find his passion for sales.
“UToledo was in my backyard my whole life,” he said. “I am glad I decided to become a Rocket.”
For more information about UToledo’s campus events for National Transfer Student Week, read the UToledo News story.
